Shoe assembling and locating attachment



Sept. 14, 1948. H. GORDON ETAL 2,449,215

l SHOE ASSEMBLING' AND LOCATING ATTACHMENT Filed July 2, 194s s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. HMA/n Gonna/v. BY CHn/ufs H. FREE.

T TORNEYS.

Sept. 14,1948. H. GORDON Erm. 2,449,216

suoi: AssEMLING AND LocATING ATTAGHMENT Filed July 2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. H/RHM Gonna/v. BY CHARLES H. fire-E.

TTORNEYS.

sept. 14, 194s.

H. GoRrvJoN ET AL 2,449,216

SHOE ASSEMBLING ND LOGATING ATTACHMENT Filed July 2, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Hmmm GaRno/v. BY Cfmmss H. Fvg-s.

4T TOR/vars.

Patented Sept. 14, 1948 SHOE ASSEMBLING AND LOCATING ATTACHMENT Hiram Gordon and Charles H. Free, Pasadena, Calif., assignors to Joyce, Inc., Pasadena, Calif.,

a corporation Application July 2, 1946, Serial No. 681,048

13 Claims. t l

This invention relates to shoe construction, and more particularly to a means for use in asso- -ciation with a last in the manufacture of shoes.

It has heretofore been a conventional practice in manufacturing shoes, whether of a closed heel type or open heel type, to place a last within the upper of the shoe and secure the back of the shoe to the back of the last at an appropriate height by means of tacks or nails or other securing means which penetrate the back of the shoe and secure the same to the last. The approved height for tacking has been established on the back of the last by a visual marker thereon, such las the head of a nail driven into and flush with the back of the last. This procedure not only mars the back of the shoe but also results in a time-consuming and somewhat inaccurate location of the top margin of the back of the shoe on the last, whether in shoes having back straps or open heels or in shoes having Ia closed heel type of construction.

Thus in the usual practice it has been necessary, in order to properly center the rear-most portion of the shoe upon the last, for a skilled operator to slip the back of the shoe over the last and hold the same in place while tacking guidenails through the strap itself or at positions above or below the strap and into the last. Such tacking through the strap, quarter or counter of the shoe holds the upper relative to the last in an unyielding manner, which does not admit of subsequent adjustment of the upper land last if later desired unless the tacks are pulled. On the other hand, tacks above and below the back strap in the heelless type of shoe construction, while permittng the adjustment of the strap from side to side of the lastduring subsequent lasting operations, nevertheless require the time and attention of a skilled operator. Also such tacks must be inserted or removed for each lasted shoe, and furthermore permit adjustment sidewise only, and not vertically.

Thus it may be seen that the continued driving and removing of tacks or nails into the back oi the last, which is generally made of wood, grad-y ually roughens and cuts away the back portion of the last, sometimes to such an extent that shoes lasted thereon may not t properly because the draft on the counter or rear strap of the shoe during the lasting operation draws said rearmost part forwardly so that the upper part of the counter or upper edge of the back of the shoe may be too tight on the nished shoe and so cut into or bind against the heel of a wearer. Said tacking operations also so roughen the rearmost portion of the last as to scratch the inner surface ofthe back of the shoe and mar the fabric or other lining thereof, and in some cases may even leave splinters of wood there. A

It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to provide a readily applied and easily released clamping mechanism by the use of which the back of the shoe may be simply yet firmly held in place but which, at the same time, `will yield sufliciently to permit the back of the upper of a shoe to be slid from side to side for adjust. ment as desired during the lasting operation. Moreover, it is intended to provide `a gripping means such that the back of the upper held j thereby is neither deformed or perforated in the manufacturing operation. c l p l Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for slidably clamping the back of the shoe upon a last.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, new and improved means readily manipulable by unskilled operators for the` purpose of positioning the back of a shoe on a last at a predetermined height.

Another object is to supply a mechanical `stop so as` to eliminate the necessity for a Visual aid on the back of the last for establishing the height of the back of the shoe.

Another and further object `oi this invention is to provide a new and improved means by which shoes may be produced with greater economy, more rapidly, and without unnecessarily perforating and marring the shoe. l

It is lanother object to eliminate the necessity of a skilled operator for centering the back of th shoe upon the last.

Another further object is to provide a new and improved means of securing the back of the shoe to a last which is quickly and universally applicable to all shoes having a uniform counter height, including shoes of` the wedge type, arch type construction, and solid-heel types, as well `as open-heel types.

Another object is to provide a novel construction for a rear clamp on a last combining the features of a clamp with that of a mechanical height-gauge. l

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lasting process in the manufacture of shoes which may be largely carried on by unskilled operators and which will permit the time of skilled operators to be utlizedfor some of the more time-consuming operations in the lasting and manufacturing process.

It is also an object of this invention `toeliminate some of the disadvantages associated with means having a like purpose in the prior art,

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specincation considered with reference to the accom-- panying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a last embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear View of the back of the last of Figure 1, as viewed from the right-hand side thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the last, taken on 'the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a perspective view'of the rear and side portion of a last embodying this invention, showing the means of applying a strap-type `of shoe thereto.

Figure 5 is a View simil-ar to Figure 4 illustrating the use of this invention in conjunction with a shoe having a closed-heel 'type of construction Figure 6 is a s'ide'elevation of the rearportion of a last, partially in section, embodying another form of this invention.

Figure 7 is a rear view of the last of Figure 6 taken from therightehand side of said figure.

' Figure 8 is a plan View of a blank used in the construction of a spring clip in the form of this invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional elevational View of the heel porti-on of the last, illustrating another form of spring clip.

IFigure 10 is aviewsimilar to Figure 9 'illustrating a further modified form of spring clil- "Figure 11 is a View of a prying tool which may be used in practicing the methodof this invention.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the rear portion of a last illustratinga still further modied form of spring clip.

'Figure 13 is a plan view of the modified form of Figure l2, parts of the last being cut away to show the securemen't of the spring clip to the last.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 illustrating an additional alternate method of securingthe spring clip to the last.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown -a last of a type used in shoe manufacture generally designated by 'the numeral 20 and comprising a toe or forward portionl 2i and a heel or back portion 22. At the back porti-on 22 of the last, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 1', there is provid-ed a spring clip .25 ofv roughly L-shaped appearance, aio-rward and upper leg 26 of which is disposed within a slot 2l formed in the upperpart of the last and a rearward and downwardly extending leg 2B yof' which depends downwardly over the back 22 of the last and is normally urged thereagainst to clamp the back of'a shoe or upper in place upon the last as hereinafter described,

Between the downwardly extending leg 2.8 and the back 22 ofthe last but disposed .adjacent the upper part of said downwardly extending leg is a stop 3l constructed in a manner and fora pur pose hereinafter explained.

f The construction `of the-last inthe preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated. iny Figures 1 through 5 'is as follows:

The main body of the last 'Ml is .most generally and preferably made of wood and is formed with a vertically disposed socket 32 having a metal .liner 33 coextensive with its inner surface to peru mit slidable positioning of the last in an inverted position from that shown in Figure 1 upon the spindle `of `any one Vof several types of .machines 4 employed in the production and lasting of the ultimate shoe. An outer cover 3d preferably of tough brous material such as leather extends over the upper back portion 22 of the last and surrounds the socket 32 and its liner 33. A spacer which may be made of a material similar to the cover 311 is disposed beneath ythe cover and is formed with a substantially rectangular slo't 36 extending from a point behind the socket 32 throughout the rearward part of the spacer. The slot adjacent its forward end is formed with a smaller transverse slot 3l on both sides for the reception, by the slot 36, of the forward leg 26 of the spring clipV 25' and by the slot 3l of a transverse pin'll. Said forward leg 26 is formed into a loop i2 normally loosely disposed within the slot 2i' and is further provided with an upturned tip [i3 normally bea-ring against the upper wall of the slot 2'! in a manner to hold the bend 45 in the spring clip against the shoulder 46 provided at the outer lower endwof the slot 2l.

For vthe addition-al purpose of providing suffi-- cient space withinttheslot 2 to acoommoda-'texthe loop lli at its forward end, lthe l-ower'wallof said slot is slanted `downwardly and forwardly. This` construction, moreover, aids the keying-action :of: the .transverse pin lil and serves 'to retain thef'orwardend of the spring clip securely within-the slot dll.

The lower and rearward' leg. 28I of thei spring4 clip is formed int-o al terminal loop 48 into which the finger ofy .anfoperator or the tip 59 of an instrumenh as illustrated inligure `11, may loe-.axially inserted, by means `of-a handley 5 Ii, for drawing the spring clip away from 'the back of .the las-t to permit the insertion of a strap '52. (Figure 4) of a shoe 53 or the counter-portion 55 (Fig:- ure 5) cfa shoe'l thereunder.

The stop iSi, positionedv at the back of thelast just below the bend d5. in .the spring clip,.co1n prises a plate (il) secured to the back of t'helast as by means of nails di and provided witha pair of ears 62 on each side of the Vspring clip pro jecting rearwardlybeyond the clip'in a manner` to provide a vstopv above whicl'rthefstrap or counter portion 4of an. upper vmay not; extend when "the saine is slippedunder the clip.

The use of the above described preferred em,- bodiment of thisvinvention illustrated` in..Figures 1 through 5, by way ofexamplapmay be as iollows:

First refer-ring to the manufacture of closedheel shoes, and assuming that the several parts of an unassernbled shoe comprising,v for example, an insole, an upper, a counter, a midsoleunit' and an out-sole, may be disposed ina processing bashet on an assembly line (not shown), and unskilled operator may apply a coating of slowdrying cement to the counter pocketat theback of the upper andinsert the counter thereinzina manner well understood by those skilled inthe art of shoe manufacture. This operator mayalso cement the inside bottom line of the upper; `Subsequently, the insole'may be temporarily attached to the bottom of the last as by tacking. An un.- slrilled operator `may also cement the. bottom. of the'insole on the side opposite from the 'last :and slip the -rear part of the upper 'und'erthe clip, thereby securing the same on the last forl subsequent operations; such as lasting. the cemented lower edges ofthe upper over the bottom of the insole.

The above-outlined procedure is an advance over the methods heretofore employed kin that it has been `necessary toigo through substantially `ter in the counter-pocket.

the following procedure in the manufacture of closed-heel,` type shoes; a procedure which, it should be noted, has generally required the services of a skilled operator and is here set forth only by way of example:`

The basket containing the necessary parts, as above noted, has passed before the skilled operator, who has removed the upper and last from the processing basket and, while holding the upper in an inverted position, has placed the coun- This operator has then placed a piece of oiled `paper or similar material inside of the leather upper while slipping the last into place within the shoe so as to separate .the rear portion of the upper from the back of the last, preventing the adhesion of the shoe `and the upper at that point. The same operator ,basketl for subsequent operations.

It will therefore be seen that the proposed method of shoe construction employing the spring `clip and other features of invention hereinabove described will eliminate the necessity of a skilled operator who has heretofore assembled the counter upon the upper, a process which has often required the initial removal of the upperfrom `the last for the purpose of inserting the counter in the counter-pocket in closed-heel shoes. A portion of the skilled assemblers time may now be saved and may therefore be utilized in subsequent time-consuming operations, such as pulling the upper over the last and securing the same to the bottom of the insole. u

Similarly, the present method of assembling shoes of the open-back type has been simplified by way of illustration, as follows:

The assembly basket containing the last and theparts of the unnished shoe, namely, the upper (including a strap at the back, but having a heel portion cut out), the midsole and the outsole, is placed before the assembler, who has ordinarily been a `skilled operator. This operator has been required to remove the last and upper from the processing basket, apply an oiled paper or the like to the back of the strap, assemble the 'upper over the last andslide the top line o-f the back strap to a nail-head or other visual location on the back of theheel and place one tack into the last at the top line and another at the bottom line of the back-strap to secure the same in place at the proper height upon the back of the last.` In some cases, dependent largely on the type of shoe and strap, the operator has been required to tack into the material `of the back strap itself after completing the task of aligning the upper upon and relative to the last. i

' By the present proposed method utilizing the lteachingof this invention, it will be possible for an unskilled operator to cement the inside bottom line of an upper, assemble an insole to the bottom of the last, cement the bottom of the insole, and slip the back strap of the upper under the clip 25 attached to the last to the point established by the stop 3|.

Thus,` not only will the operation of aligning and lassembling the upper on the last be simpli- 6 fled, but' these operations may be accomplished by an unskilled operator instead' of the skilled operator heretofore required, the height' and side-1 wise adjustment of the upper relative to the last being readily and slidably achieved.

A modified form of combinedspring clip and I last which is susceptible of quick slidable attachment as well upon shoes having an arch or heeltype construction as upon shoes of the wedgetype construction is illustrated in Figures 6 through 8, andfurtherV modifications of thisform of spring clip are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

First referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures through 8, there is shown a last |00 formed with a vertical socket |0|. Extending at an angle substantially vertically through the last is a bore |02 rearward of said vertical socket i and slidably accommodating a removable screw |03 formed with an eyelet |04 at its upper `end and having a, lower threaded end |05. The function of the screw |0| is to permit the threadable aiiixation of a desired heel (not shown) of a shoe during the lasting operation. To carry out this purpose the screw `|03 is former with a collar |06` having a lower conical face |01 normally bearing against a` pair of washers |08 which urge a rubber disc I I0 downwardly against the upper face of a, fibrous cover secured upon `the top of the last. l

For the purpose of attaching the substantially `L-shaped spring clip ||5` to the last in the desired position, there is provided a slot ||6 at the back of the lastinto which is snugly inserted a forward leg |20 of thespring clip. This forward end, asmay be most clearly seen from the blank form of the same illustrated in Figure 8, is provided with an elongated slot |'2| for the clearance of the screw |03 at an angle relative to said forward leg, and a smaller circular opening |22 back of the slot |2| for the similar reception of a wood screw |25. The combination of screws :|03 and |25 prevent excessive lateral movement of the spring clip ||5,within the slot IIB., Said clip is formed with a bend |26 disposed just back of the slot |15, which serves as a vertical stop when the back of a shoe or upper is slipped under a back leg |28 of the spring` clip', (the thickness of such upper is shown in phantom outline |29 in Figure 6) thereby'obviating the necessity of a separate stop, as provided in the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 through 5 hereinabove described. The back leg |28 of the spring clip likewise substantially parallels the back of the last, thereby serving to grip the backof the upper over a substantial area, and further avoiding any marring or marking of the shoe. A terminal loop` |40 in the `lower leg of the spring clip provides a means for drawing the clip back away from the last, for inserting or removing an upper, as desired.

The manner of use of the spring clip illustrated in Figures 6 through 8 is identical with the use which is intended to be made of the form of Figures 1 to 5u, except that the bend |26 of the form of Figures 6 through 8 acts as a stop as above noted, in lieu of the'stop 3| of said rstnamed figures` u Figure 9 illustrates a modified form of clip200, provided at the rearmost portion of a last 20| formed with a slanting slot 202 cut in from the back of the last in a similar manner to the last |00 of Figure 6. The clip 200 contains a hole 205 for the reception of a wood screw 206 and a bore 210 therethrough for the slidable reception of a heel-securing screw `2| The outer lower leg 2|2 of the spring `clip is formed with a ter- 7- minarngerepiece 213 formed .in the-'shape of a hook'for the purpose of enablingA an operator more :readily to spring :the `clip away from the backof the last, either with or without' the .aid of the tool, illustrated in' Figure 11.

.Figure 101s similar to Figure9except that the terminal .lower end.300 of they spring clamp 30|- is turnedv outwardly and downwardly as a ngerpiece for the same purpose of facilitating the release of the spring .clip from its normal position 'bearing against the rearward face of the last. A bend 302 inthe clip'provides a stop for .theftop' back part of theshoe. A. wood'- screw $0.3H Aextendsthrough a .hole- .304v `in the spring ciampi and aids the heel-securing .screw 305 to retain-the forward'fend ofl thespring clip within the slot.- 306.

Inthe forms of the 'spring clipand. last illustrated'in Figures V6 throughy 10, thev back of the last above the Yslotl `ischamfered4 at |20 above the clip to improve the flexing action Aof the `spring as well asto prevent Ychippingof the Vhack .of thelast above the clip.

Inail forms Aof` the spring clip a tack hole 130 may be provided which, however, needA not bezusedexcept in-unusualasituations.in which it .may :appear'necessary totprovide further secure?- mentfof. the upper tothe last.

In the further modified form of combined last 50B-and spring clip 40h-as illustrated in Figures 12:v and .18, the `spring clip is; again roughtlyv L shaped? and has anupperforward leg' 402 formed with a-forvvard loopi -403 at the forward end vof said-leg. The lasti 480 .may lbe constructed as in :the .previous embodiments with two layers of nfber'v'404` and ritira. oniitsupp'er face; .At the rear dimi-of the lastzra downwardly'slantingslot 40'l1is Aprovided lterminating and communicating at its forward vend in a. transversely disposed bore '@38. The loop 403' and forward leg 402 of the yspring clip are slidably insertable into the bore 408 and the slot 401, respectively, `from one side ofithe last until'the spring clip 401 isin axially Icentered position with respect tothe longitudinal `axis of the last andthe rearmost leg 409 of the spring clip is-at the center of the back of the last landnormally spring-urged thereagainst by its own inherent resiliency.

The'par'ticula-r inode of construction of the last 5063 and the spring clip 401, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, r-endersl it convenientand'economical toadapt' la last of normal construction for iirm and permanent attachment' of a spring clip which, while held firmly in position with relation to the last, may readily `be removed for rthe purpose of` replacement or renewal.v Optionally, a plug. 41l0, as shown inY Figure 13, mayv Abe driven through the l-oop- 4193' after the clip 400 has been .centered upon the last to bind the sides `of the'loop 403 more irmly against the walls of the bore 408 than-if the Ibody and resilience of the loop 403 -were depended upon tol bind itself" in place, as

ilof Figures 12 and' 13. A bore 452, however,

does'v not extend entirely `throughy the last from side to side but terminates vafter. penetrating the laste-substantially over `half .its Width. rBy

thisconstruction-v a: spring clip 453 in. all .respects similar'to the spring clip 40| of FigureseliZA and 13,` is slidable later-ally into the slot v45| andthe bore 452l in` a similar manner to the' positioning of the spring clip 40| within the slot 401 andthe bore 408 of figuresv 12 and'13. It isrobvious, however, that the clip 453 can be inserted Within the bore-andslot from only one side of the last. Thereupon a tapered plug 454 may be.V `driven into the bore 1152 in a manner to bind against the walls/of the bore and also-to penetrate-a loop 455 formed in the forward legA 456 ofthe rspring clip thereby holding the same in a firm relationship to the last.

In all forms of thev spring clip illustrated'f in Figures 12` through 14 the rearmost. portion of the forwardleg 4012 and 456, respectively,:exten'ds .rearwardlyfbeyond the back of the last` to. pro.- vide a clearance for the back of a shoe which may be clipped to the last and further provides a vertical' stop similar to the stopv 4H as illus#- trated in Figure 12;

' 1t may therefore be seen that in 'the form of last construction and notification of Figures 1'2 through 14 the only essential implements for securing the spring clip to the last are an ordinary hand saw and a drill. The plugs M0 and Q54 therein illustrated mayoption-ally be omitted, and in either event the sides of 'the last at the entrance of the bore may he filled with a eeinentitious material, such Aas plastic or wood, and smoothed over so as to cover the opening of the bore, thereby serving at once to strengthen the connection between the spring clip and the last and also to avoid roughness and theA possibility of snagging material upon an otherwise vromghened surface. n

While it is customary to make lasts of Wood, this invention contemplates the use of lastsmade from any other suitable material, such asplastic, hard rubber or the like, and while it is preferable to form the spring clip of a spring-type music Wire or high-tension `clock spring steel, it is obvious that the same couldbe made of any other suitable resilient material, such as reedor plastic. It has been found that a suitable spring clip may be `formed from 7g4-inch thick annealed steel S. A. EI. 1095 having a stainless coating thereon. The stop, is not formed as an integral part of the spring clip itself, may likewise be made of steel, plastic, wood, or the like.

The gist of this invention is the provision ,of-a spring-type clip upon the back of the last, either associated with or integral with a suitable stop or guide. TheI utilization of this means has resulted in a new and improved shoe manufacturing process which is also a material part of this invention.

Although the invention has herein been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there- Yfrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scopefofthe claims, so as to include any and all equivalent devices. y

Having described our invention, what rwe claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A last for shoe construction, spring-urged means on the back of the last for releasably engaging and holding the back vof a` shoe upon said last, stop means associated'lwith the springurged means limiting the extent to which `the of the shoe under the clip.

back of the shoe may be inserted under said spring-urged means, and a `nger piece upon said spring-urged means by whichsaid lastnamed means may be raised to slip the back ofthe shoe thereunder-` i l 1 2. In the art of shoe construction, `a last, a spring clip secured to thefback of the last for releasably clamping the back of a shoe and a stop associated with the spring clip adapted to limit the extension of the back of: the shoe under the spring clip. i

3. In the art of shoe construction, a last, a spring clip secured` to the back of `the last vfor releasably clamping the back of a shoe and a stop associated with thespring clip adapted to limit the extension of the back of the shoe under thel spring clip, sai-d spring clip being formed with a terminal linger-piece substantially in the form of a loop adapted to receive a tool for lifting the spring clip to facilitate slipping the` back 4. In the art of shoeconstruction, a last, a spring clip secured to the back of the last for releasably clamping the back of a shoe anda stop associated Awith thespring clip adapted to` limit the extension of the back of the shoe under the spring clip, said last being formed at its upper rear portion with a substantially horizontal recess continuons with a substantially rectangular opening at the rear of the heel, said recess being of greater height at its inner end than its outer end and being formed with a substantially horizontal transverse keyway at its inner end, a rst leg of said spring clip being disposed within the recess, said rst leg being doubled back to form a loop and then curved to engage a wall of the recess in a manner to normally press a medial portion of the spring clip towards the wall of the opening and a second leg of the spring clip having a position against the back of the last, a pin in the keyway extending through the loop in the spring clip in a position to retain said iirst leg of the spring clip within the recess.

5. In the art of shoe construction, a last, a spring clip secured to the back of the last for releasably clamping the back of a shoe and a stop associated with the spring clip adapted to limit the extension of the back of the shoe under the spring clip, sai-d stop comprising a plate secured to the back of the last and formed with at least one ear projecting backwardly adjacent the spring clip.

6. In a last for` shoe construction comprising a heel and back portion on the last, the improvement which comprises a two-legged spring clip secured to the back portion of the last, said last being formed with a slot in said back portion, one leg of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and another leg of the spring clip depending downwardly over the back of the last and normally spring tensioned thereagainst.

7. In a last for shoe construction comprising a heel and back portion on the last, the improvement which comprises a roughly L shaped spring clip secured to the back portion of the last, sai-d last being formed with an inwardly extending slot in said back portion, one end of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and the other end of the spring clip being bowed `outwardly and depending downwardly over and against the back of the last, said other end of the spring clip being formed with a curve-d lower portion by means of which the spring clip may be manually urged out of its normal engagement against the back portion of the last, and stop means associated with the spring clip adjacent an upper portion thereof outside the slot limiting the extent to which the 'back of a shoe may be inserted between the back of the last and said being formed with an inwardly extending` slot in said back portion, one end of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and the other end of the spring clip being bowed outwardly and depending downwardly over the back of thelast, said `other end of the spring clip beingvformed `witha curved lower portion by means ofl which the spring clip may b e manually urged out of` its normal engagement against the lback portion of the last,` and stop means associated with the spring clip adjacent an upper portion thereof outside thevslot limiting the extent to whicha back of a shoe may be inserted between the backof the last and said other end of the spring clip, said stop means being formed at the junction of the ends of the spring clamp. i

9. In a last for shoe constructioncomprising a heel and back portion on the last, the improvement which comprises a spring clip secured to the last, said last being formed with a slot in said back portion, one end, of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and the other end of the spring clip depending downwardly over the back of the last and normally spring tensioned thereagainst, said spring clip being formed in the approximate shape of a loop at said one end, said one end being normally urged against an upper wall of said slot land normally urging a body portion of said spring clip downwardly towards a lower wall of said slot in a manner to tension the spring clip within the slot.

10. In a, last for shoe construction comprising a heel and back portion on the last, the improvement which comprises a spring secured to the back portion of the last, said last being formed with a slot in said back portion, one end of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and the other end of the spring clip depending downwardly over the back of the last and normally spring tensioned thereagainst, said spring clip having said one end snugly inserted within said slot in a manner to prevent any substantial vertical movement of said one end therein, said spring clip having a downward bend just back of the rearmost edge of the slot forming an upper limiting stop for the back of a shoe inserted under said other end of the `spring clip.

11. In -a last for shoe construction comprising a heel and back portion on the last, the improvement which comprises a spring secured to the back portion of the last, said last being formed with a slot in said back portion, one end of said spring clip being anchored within said slot and the other end of the spring clip depending downwardly over the back of the last and normally spring tensioned thereagainst, said spring clip having said one end snugly inserted within said slot in a manner to prevent any substantial vertical movement of said one end therein, said spring clip having a, downward bend just back of the rearmost edge of the slot forming an upper limiting stop for the back of a shoeinserted under said other end of the spring clip, and fastening means extending substantially vertically into a portion of said last and also through said one meme end of the-spring clip securely positioning vsaid one-endiaxially Within Said slot;

1112.?In a last for shoe-construction comprising -a heel and back portion on the last, the improve ment which comprises@J springv secured to the Yback portion of thelasm said last being; formed with aslot in said back portion, one end of said spring 'clip being anchored Within said slot and the other end of the spring-clin depending downwardly over thebacl of `the llast and normally spring tensioned'thereagainst, said spring clip havingsaid one end snugly inserted Within said 'slot ina manner to preventlany substantial ver-'- tical movement of said one end therein, said spring'clip hailing -a downward bend just back of the rearmost edge ofthe slotf'orrning an upper limiting `stop for the back of Aa Shoe inserted under'said other-end of the springV Clip, said one end lofl saidspring clamp having a plurality of sbacedsubstantiaHy vertical holes therethrough andlscrewsextending through'saicl holes soas to -position said one end within the slot, at least one offsaid serews'being slidablyremovable and serving to hold the heel of ashoe in place upon the last.

213. In Aa vlast for `shoe construction comprising many spring tensioned` there-against; saidiastsbe= `ing .formed .with aflateral :bore :communicating withaforward end. of the Slot and the .forward end of said spring clip being formed int-o a vloon adaptedto t-.slidablyinto saidlateralbore, Iand a peg-.wedged intotheloopbinding the loop against the Walls of the'bore in amanner to securezthe `springclip in .place relative tothe last.

ofoRDoN CHARLES H. REFERENCESY CITED 'The following references are of record'in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name "Date Shlieker July 2, 1929 Ryan June '1, 1943 Number 

